Stomach biopsy

Stomach biopsy — is the taking of fragments of the gastric mucosa during endoscopic examination (EGD) for further pathomorphological analysis. This is the most informative diagnostic method, which allows to study the cellular composition of tissues, detect infection Helicobacter pylori and distinguish benign changes from malignant tumors.

Research objective: The main task is morphological confirmation of the diagnosis when detecting mucosal defects, neoplasms or chronic inflammation. Histological examination allows to determine the activity of gastritis, the presence of precancerous changes (atrophy, metaplasia) and the stage of the oncological process.

What does the pathologist evaluate:

• Availability Helicobacter pylori: visualization of the bacteria that is the main cause of ulcers and stomach cancer.

• Degree of inflammation and activity: assessment of how aggressive the gastritis is.

• Atrophy and metaplasia: detection of replacement of normal gastric glands with connective tissue or intestinal epithelium (precancerous conditions).

• Nature of ulcers: Differentiation of a common peptic ulcer from an ulcerative form of cancer.

• Tumor type: determining the histological variant of cancer (adenocarcinoma, signet ring cell carcinoma, etc.) or lymphoma.

Clinical significance: The results of the gastric biopsy are the basis for drawing up a plan treatment. For example, if intestinal metaplasia is detected, the patient is assigned regular surveillance (OLGA/OLGIM system), and if specific tumors are detected, a referral to an oncologist to determine the scope of the operation.

When is it prescribed:

• detection of ulcers, polyps or tumor-like formations during gastroscopy;

• chronic gastritis (to assess the risk of cancer);

• suspicion of the presence Helicobacter pylori;

• sudden weight loss, anemia, or epigastric pain of unknown origin;

• monitoring the condition of the mucosa after a course of treatment for peptic ulcer disease.